A new squat lobster species, Leiogalathea samudragiri, has been discovered at a depth of 360 metres near Minicoy in the Lakshadweep archipelago. The find was made during a research cruise in early 2024 under India’s Deep Ocean Mission, also known as the Samudrayaan programme. The discovery adds to knowledge of India’s deep-sea biodiversity and marks the largely unexplored ecosystems of the Northern Indian Ocean.
Discovery in Deep Waters
The specimen was collected from a seamount, an underwater mountain rising from the ocean floor. A heavy-duty chain dredge was used to sample the seabed. The collected material was then studied using stereo-zoom microscopes and digital imaging. Scientists compared the specimen with known squat lobsters from the Pacific and Indian Oceans before confirming it as a distinct species.
Distinct Biological Features
The new species shows clear physical differences from its closest relatives. Key identifying features include:
- Smooth, uninterrupted ridges on the top of the shell.
- Exactly six transverse ridges on the rear part of the body.
- No specific spine on the antennules, which is present in similar species.
These features ruled out the possibility of it being a look-alike or pseudocryptic species.
Scientific Naming and Significance
The name samudragiri comes from Sanskrit words meaning ocean and mountain. It reflects the seamount habitat where the species was found. With this discovery, the number of known species in the genus Leiogalathea has risen to 19 worldwide. The finding also underlines the rich but underexplored marine life of India’s deep ocean regions.
Deep Ocean Mission Context
India’s Deep Ocean Mission aims to explore and utilise deep-sea resources and study marine biodiversity. It is especially important for mapping unexplored habitats, identifying new species, and improving scientific understanding of the ocean floor. The discovery near Lakshadweep shows the potential of deep-sea research in revealing hidden biological diversity.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026